The Arizona sentinel., 1887-03-19

Idll6u llUO d well WHICH was UOO ueep
 to permit escape, its companion of the
 same size, was found the same morn
 ing in an adjoining drain. On this oc-
 casion, the snake, which had been sev-
 eral hours in the well, swan with ease,
 raising its head and hood above water;
 and instances have occurred of the CO.,
 bra di capella taking considerable ex-
 cursions by sea-"
 In spite of its venomous character,
 the cobra is naturally one of the most
 timid and harmless of creatures, rarely,
 if ever, making an unprovoked attack.
 It is only under the sense of fear, or
 when irritated, that it strikes, and, like
 most of the serpent tribe, it is happy to
 beat retreat when in the presence of
 man, and unless followed and speedily
 cornered, disappears in some hiding
 place without evincing, beyond threat
 ening hiss, any desire to become an az
 gressor.
 It is its really docile and gentle dis
 position, coupled, perhaps, with the
 abhorrence and awe in which it is held
 by the vulgar, that causes the cobra to
 be the favorite of Oriental jugglers.
 Its striking appearance and deadly
 nature is so universally understood that
 any trifing with it appears to the un- initiated the more wonderful.
 To be sure it is claimed that perform ing cobras are deprived of their fangs,
 and are consequently harmless; but
 this is true only of those used by infe- rior performers, as rule, though the serpent is sometimes rendered harmless
 by causing it to repeatedly strike some
 object until the present supply of venom is exhausted.
 The exhibition of harmless reptile becomes merely an exhibition of its highly trained condition; and the jug gler. knowing sahib's constitutional ncredulity, if exhibiting such, is sure to be provided with one or more venomous cobras that will be pro- duced by virtue of a few additional annas, and whose deadly character is vouched for by forcing it to strike some fowl or small quadruped. Now, too, the performance acquires different character, since when the reptile strikes, it is with the rapidity of an electric shock.
 The juggler handles it swiftly and a6roitly, without faIteriRg or hestta- ton, for such would be fatal; and in the swift seizure and sudden release is exhibited daring and courage of an exceptional kind. When necessary, he provokes the serpent to strike, and ere it can recover and again place itself in an attitude of defense, he grasps it quickly just below the jaws, thereby rendering it powerless; and when it is released, it is by a swift unclosing of the fingers and removal of the arm, so deftly performed as to appear as but one movement. In due time the ser pent learns that these movements are devoid of injury, and consequently sub- mits to them unresistingly, and, unless specially reused, becomes practically harmless. 4
 The tame cobras are handled in all ways; are taught to advance and re- treat, coil and uncoil. bow their heads, and bring their deadly mouths in close to those of their master, and all through the medium of certain vocal or instrumental sounds, which, travellers are wont to pro- nounce them musical, no scope of the can imbue with harmony. 1
 It is not in any sense of the word | serpent charming" but merely | adroitness on the part of the necro- supplemented by long training and enforcement of certain habits. l understanding full well | the fatal results of an accident, which | only instant amputation can avert, most jugglers carry large broad bladed knife of wonderful keenness to be used in case of emergency.
 Sir Emmerson Tennent witnessed the death of performer in Ceylon, who was provoked by his audience to some unaccustomed familiarity with his cobra; it bit him in the arm, and he expired the same evening. Again, Forbes in his Oriental Memoirs" states that not doubting but that the cobra which danced for an hour on his able while he painted it, had been de- ,rived of its fangs, he frequently han He'd it to observe the beauty of it's col ,ring, especially the white spots on its lood.
 The next morning, however, his servant rushed in with treat haste, desiring he should retire md praise the Almighty for his good since, while purchasing some ruit at a bazar, he had observed the nan who had exhibited the serpent the previous evening, engaged in giving a treet performance; and the cobra, be- oming suddenly h.'itated, darted at he throat of young woman, who vas squatted near, and inflicted a wound, from which she died in the curse of half an hour.
 When at rest, the neck of the cobra 5 not of greater diameter than the lead; but when confronting an enemy, 1T excited by passion and irritation, it discs the front half Cor little more) f the body vertically from the ground, rawing the posterior portion into a oil, until it forms, as it were, sort of piral spring, by means of which,